Tentatively, he laid a hand on her quaking shoulder. “Pen?”
To his shock, Penny rolled onto her back, giggling uncontrollably. “See!That’swhy I hate snakes.” Breathless from laughing so hard, she gazed up at him, her cheeks flushed, her eyes bright and glimmering.
Suddenly, Colt felt an overwhelming urge to cup her face in his hands and kiss her—right then and there.
He’d seen plenty of beautiful women before. Literally tens of thousands, from all around the world.
But Penny? She topped them all.
There was something about her—a vibrant, infectious light that radiated from deep within her soul, illuminating her entire being.
Not to mention she was full of surprises.
He’d expected her to be upset, maybe even angry. Not laugh it off.
Boy, did he have a lot to learn about this woman.
And as he gazed into her laughter-filled eyes, he realized he desperately wanted to know everything.
Even if it meant sticking around town for a lot longer than he’d planned.
Chapter 10
The entire ride back to Frank’s, Colt wrestled with a knot of guilt in the pit of his stomach. He’d had an incredible afternoon—the kind that left a lasting impression.
But it had come at a cost.
And when he’d called to tell Luke he wouldn’t make it back in time to grill the shish kebabs, his brother’s disappointed silence had spoken volumes.
To make matters worse, Luke didn’t seem all that surprised.
As Colt slowed to a stop in the driveway, the knot twisted even tighter when Luke and Cassie emerged through the front door illuminated by the porch light.
Catching sight of Colt, Luke paused and murmured something in Cassie’s ear. She nodded slowly and after flashing Colt a small, sympathetic smile, proceeded to the pickup truck on her own.
Luke waited at the bottom of the steps, arms crossed in front of his chest. His sober expression didn’t bode well.
Colt ripped off his helmet. “I know, I know. You don’t have to say it.” He swung his leg over the bike, cringing at the uncomfortable friction of his wet jeans.
“What happened?” Luke eyed his damp T-shirt as Colt unzipped his motorcycle jacket.
“Look, it wasn’t my fault.” He’d rehearsed a lengthy explanation, but his excuse faltered as Luke’s features crumbled.
Releasing a heavy sigh, his brother ran a hand through his hair—dark and wavy, like their mother’s. Colt always found it ironic that he’d inherited his father’s looks instead of Luke, boasting the same golden-blond hair and turquoise-blue eyes. Although, apparently, he wasn’t endowed with any of his superior character traits.
“Listen, Colt…”
Uh-oh… here it comes….Colt sucked in a breath, ready for the lecture.
Luke’s voice softened. “If you can’t handle this, let me know. We’ll find someone else.”
Colt winced at the quiet resignation laced in his brother’s words. Clearly, the question was rhetorical. Luke didn’t believe he could handle it. And so far, Colt hadn’t given him much reason to think otherwise.
“It won’t happen again.” With unwavering focus, Colt met his brother’s gaze.
Luke studied him a moment before murmuring, “I hope not.” He took a step toward the truck, then paused to add, “Frank already ate. We brought him dinner from Jack’s. He’s in the den watching reruns ofTheAndy Griffith Show. He should be fine for a while. Just check on him before you turn in for the night, okay?”
“Got it.” Reading between the lines, Colt took the hint that Frank wasn’t in the mood for company. Especially not his. Not that he could blame him.
